GREEN BAY - More telling than anything Mike McCarthy said Monday was how the Green Bay Packers coach addressed quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ open criticism after a 22-0 win against Buffalo.

McCarthy, doing his best not to make a potentially bad situation worse, kept his composure throughout a 15-minute news conference. No matter how many times he was asked about Rodgers’ comments, the coach who from time to time has been riled at the podium never flashed anger.

He was the picture of calm, dumping cold water on any notion there’s a problem between him and his two-time MVP quarterback.

“I have good relationships, proper relationships, with all of our players,” McCarthy said. “Aaron and I, we have gone through a lot of years together. So I feel good about our relationship.”

Rodgers was clearly displeased with the offense’s performance Sunday, saying the Packers were “championship defensive level and non-playoff team offensive level.” He lamented not being able to target his top playmakers more. When asked how to accomplish that, Rodgers said “it’s by the plan.”

McCarthy has long been responsible for shaping the Packers' offensive game plan.

McCarthy allowed “there’s a little bit of a change” with how the Packers devise their offensive game plan after he adjusted the structure of his coaching staff this offseason. McCarthy is still the play caller, but he has more voices to pull from than in the past. Not only do the Packers have an offensive coordinator in Joe Philbin, but there’s also a pass-game coordinator in Jim Hostler and run-game coordinator in James Campen.

A group of vocal fans catch the attention of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) late in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills during their football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) smiles as he points to a vocal group of fans that caught his attention late in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills during their football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers Tony Brown warms up on the sidelines against the Buffalo Bills during their football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts to a group in the stands against the Buffalo Bills Sunday September 30, 2018 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Jim Matthews/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis

A Brewers in the stands as the Green Bay Packers host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) is surrounded by a group of Green Bay Packers players in the first half at Lambeau Field on Sunday, September 30, 2018 in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers tight end Jimmy Graham (80) signals a first down after a catch against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on Sunday, September 30, 2018 in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts to a group in the stands against the Buffalo Bills Sunday September 30, 2018 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Jim Matthews/USA TODAY NETWORK-W

A fan dressed as a monk in honor of the Dalai Lama cheers in the crowd since Aaron Rodgers made a trip to India to meet the Dalai Lama in April of this year. This was during the first quarter of the Green Bay Packers game against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Mike De Sisti /USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is dejected after a broken up pass during the first quarter of the Green Bay Packers game against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Mike De Sisti /USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to a group of fans dressed as monks in honor of the Dalai Lama since Aaron Rodgers made a trip to India to meet the Dalai Lama in April of this year. during the 4th quarter of the Green Bay Packers 22-0 win against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Mike De Sisti /USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to a group of fans dressed as monks in honor of the Dalai Lama since Aaron Rodgers made a trip to India to meet the Dalai Lama in April of this year. during the 4th quarter of the Green Bay Packers 22-0 win against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Mike De Sisti /USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and his teammates look to a group of fans dressed as monks in honor of the Dalai Lama since Aaron Rodgers made a trip to India to meet the Dalai Lama in April of this year. during the 4th quarter of the Green Bay Packers 22-0 win against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Mike De Sisti /USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Geronimo Allison (81) lies on the ground after getting injured from a hit in the third quarter during their football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers fumbles as he is sacked by Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson in the second half on Sunday, September 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) points to the crowd as he celebrates his interception with his teammates against the Buffalo Bills Sunday September 30, 2018 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Jim Matthews/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive back Siran Neal (29) during the second quarter of the Green Bay Packers game against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Mike De Sisti /USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive back Siran Neal (29) during the second quarter of the Green Bay Packers game against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Mike De Sisti /USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) signals first down after a run against the Buffalo Bills Sunday September 30, 2018 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Jim Matthews/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis

Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery on a first quarter catch and run against the the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander intercepts a pass in the end zone late in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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The Green Bay Packers defense celebrates an interception by Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) during the second quarter of the Green Bay Packers game against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Mike De Sisti /USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) stiff arms Buffalo Bills defensive back Rafael Bush (20) on a long first down run in the first quarter during their football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) runs back an interception during the second quarter of the Green Bay Packers game against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Mike De Sisti /USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) stiff arms Buffalo Bills defensive back Rafael Bush (20) on a long first down run in the first quarter during their football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) runs for a long first down against Buffalo Bills defensive back Jordan Poyer (21) and defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (98) in the second quarter during their football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) drops a pass in the end zone against Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) in the first half during their football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) runs for a first down in the second quarter during their football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) checks on his knee brace after a run in the second quarter during their football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) scores a touchdown during the second quarter of the Green Bay Packers game against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Mike De Sisti /USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis

Green Bay Packers tight end Jimmy Graham crosses the goal line following a first quarter touchdown reception against the the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-W

Green Bay Packers tight end Jimmy Graham takes a Lambeau Leap after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-W

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) runs for a first down against Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) in the first quarter during their football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis

Bryan Osterberg, left, and Christine Neuville, both of De Pere, huddle up to stay warm as they get to their seats early for the Green Bay Packers game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis

Gov. Scott Walker talks with Terrill Klett, of Atlanta before the Green Bay Packers game against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Mike De Sisti / USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis

Gov. Scott Walker talks with supporters before the Green Bay Packers game against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Mike De Sisti / USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis

Gov. Scott Walker interacts with Mary Zimmerman of Green Bay before the Green Bay Packers game against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Mike De Sisti / USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis

So while Rodgers still has the opportunity to provide his input on each weekly game plan, it’s not unreasonable to wonder whether the influx of other voices dilutes his own.

“There’s a reason why these new coaches are here,” McCarthy said. “They bring a level of experience and expertise in being in other systems and doing things a different way. At the end of the day, the way we function and put together a game plan is very similar. Like anything, our philosophy will never change as long as I’m standing up there and, on offense, it’s about making the quarterback successful.

“Aaron’s given a lot of responsibility, and rightfully so. He’s earned that, at the line of scrimmage and during the preparation process. That’ll continue as it’s been for quite some time.”

McCarthy didn’t disagree with Rodgers’ assessment of the offense’s poor performance. Despite the easy win, it was the type of game where Packers teams in the past might have been able to pick a score. They clearly outmatched the Bills, led by a rookie quarterback who looked unready to play and a weak supporting cast.

That the Packers finished with only 22 points was far from impressive.

Where McCarthy differed was on the source of Sunday’s sluggish production. More than the game plan, McCarthy suggested execution was not crisp.

“We weren’t clean,” he said. “I mean, five dropped balls, we put the ball on the ground five times. The two biggest negatives of the game were how we handled the football. I mean, that’s really the biggest red (mark) on my grade sheet, because at the end of the day it’s about the football. You’ve got to take care of it.”

Friction, it seems, has grown between Rodgers and McCarthy over the past eight months. The quarterback has taken veiled shots at his coach in the past, but they seem to be coming with increasing frequency.

Since the end of the 2017 season, Rodgers has complained about not being consulted on former quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt’s departure. Given several opportunities in the offseason, he never fully endorsed McCarthy’s decision to reorganize his offensive playbook. His comments Sunday were only the latest example of growing contention.

It wasn’t enough to rile McCarthy, at least publicly. Asked if he was disappointed in his quarterback’s comments, McCarthy almost seemed to excuse them.

“I’m not going to get into tone and things like that,” he said. “So, very passionate man. Very passionate, very competitive. Hey, I’m no different, too. I’ve called a lot of games in this league, and I’ve gone through a lot of game plans, and still represent the team as a head coach.

“But when I closed my door last night and watched the game, I felt like we left a lot out there.”